St. Stephen’s Syro-Malabar Knanaya Forane Church, Hempstead, New York

St. Stephen’s Syro-Malabar Knanaya Forane Church, Hempstead, New York

Vicar: Very Rev. Fr. Jose Tharackal, Phone: 847 322 9503

The Knanaya Mission in New York was established on March 27, 1993. Bishop Thomas Daily of Brooklyn diocese appointed Rev. Fr. Jose Saurianmakil as the director of the mission on March 27, 1993. The mission was officially inaugurated on April 17, 1993. Rev. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was appointed as the Director in January 1999.

Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Rev. Fr Thomas Animmoottil as the director of the mission with effect from January 15, 2005. Rev. Fr. Thomas Pralel was appointed as the mission director and Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil as the associate director with effect from August 17, 2008. Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil becomes the mission director with effect from January 01, 2009. Fr. Jose Tharackal became the mission director from October 23, 2009.

The mission bought at church building in Hempstead, NY in January 27, 2012. The church was consecrated on November 24, 2012 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and first mass offered by His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakkatt. Bishop Mar Jacob Angdiath appointed Fr. Jose Tharackal as the pastor on the same day.

On March 29, 2015 this parish is elevated as Forane parish. This parish comprises of Knanaya Catholics settled in Rockville Center and Brooklyn Diocese in New York and serves 163 families.